- Now that you have had read the material for this unit, write a longer (1000-1250 word) essay explaining why the new universities filled a need in society that the earlier traditions of cathedral schools and apprenticeships could not. Your answer will want to take into account the revival of towns in the 11th century, what jobs the guild system could not supply that universities could, and how the changing nature of royal governments required new kinds of legal training. You do not need to cross comment on the longer essays, but do remember to cut and paste your essay into the textbox. Be sure to cite your sources! DO NOT use attachments.